Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-10-17

excellent condition. 10 Judge from the manner
in which thev resisted rs"apture after having
been dropped from the mouth, tUt there were
at least $50.
The men who picked the serpents from tha
ground did so with caution and not in the in
trepid manner which might be supposed; in
fact monkey could not pick a chestnut
from The fire more gingerly; yet they retained
great sang -frOid, ard after they had gathered
bunch OF snakes carried it quite jauntilv.
They have way of catching his snsksshil
near the head and giving the arm YiClenS J
shake which daZes or shakes the snake into
something like subsection. When it Is
changed from the right hand into the left it
hangs in limp, helpless way and Is then
given to some other 10 take care Of or else re-
tained until the arm is
As FULL AS 1T CAN HOLD.
Those who danced with the snakes not in
frequently had three or four at the same time
in the mouth, which, Of all the performances,
was the most rcDulsve. To see human be-
ing going around with his entire face hidden
behind the snakes, not feature visible, was
something to make the shudders creep up one !
back, which it did. Yet there were sounds
Of applause from the natives gathered around,
urging the dancers to attempt greater featS
such as taking two OF the largest rattlcrs in
the mouth Ugh y at once, and in one Instance
a dancer held many snakes in his mouth,
which twined around his face In hidiOus
mask. as II his head had been transformed
into that Of the tabled Gorgon. These acts
were invariably followed by 4 sigh of relief,
in the sound Of grunt, that IL be not repeat
ed, which was complied with only when the
supply Of snakes gave out. 1t is a notorious
fact that an Indian will laugh at the mister
tunes of others, but when he Is drawn into
the vortex Of trouble the depth of grief or sor
row is wonderful. So it was with the spec
tstors, until long whip-snake fastened his
teeth into the thumb of the noisest one. and
then 1t was truly cdifyng 10 watch the facial
coutortions. As the bite Of this class is not
venomous, very little attention was given to
the accident.
At the close of the dance the snakes were
all gathered In heap at the foot of the snake
rock; meal was thrown over them, and then
began a scramble among the snake men IN
get double handfuls, with which they ran of
AZ the Top of their speed, carrying their bur
dens down into the valley, where
THE SNAKES WERE TURNED LOOSE
and allowed to find places of security beneath
rocks and in holes. That the performers are
thoroughly dOctored or medlcated prior 10 tho
commencement Of the ceremonies there can
be no doubt. The eyes and the ecstatic bear
ing OF the bodies attracts attention at once
| there is peculiar luster In the orbs, and an
abnormal elasticity in the movement OF the
| BODY.
The reaction after the dance is remarkable,
and while no serious or lasting effects follow,
still they are left in very weak state. requir
| ing many hours OF sleep to fully restore them
| to their normal condition. The wives, moth
ers, and sisters Of those who took part In the
| ceremonies carry great bowls Of cooked food
to the estufas, where the men, after first wash
| ing In liquor prepared by the chiefs, psrtake
of the food. and thus ends the festival.
While 1t is probable that only a vague re
| ligious idea forms the motive Of this ''snakt
order'' or society, vet It is PLAUSIBLE to sup
| pose that the ritual they use is direct cal
| upon the supernatural powers for favorable
season, for rain and overfowing springs; fo
these people seem to desire but two specific
| gifts from the gods-namely, health anC
| plenty to eat. To be relieved OF their sins. o.
| delivered from doubts as TO q hereafter the
| seem to know or care little about-in fact, /
has no part in Moqui theology.